Crystal Palace manager enjoying confounding misconceptions about his players
and his football philosophy but remains focused on safety target after win
over Aston Villa

“Perception, perception, perception in this country and not fact – that is the way of the world,” said Tony Pulis after leading Crystal Palace to within touching distance of safety.

The Palace manager was smiling as he said it, having masterminded their first-ever run of three successive victories in the top flight, lifting them to 12th and three points short of the accepted safety target of 40 points.

And he has done it without fuss or fanfare, with the honourable exception of Palace’s supporters, who are fast gaining a reputation as the most boisterous fans in the land.

Never mind the big-spending big-wigs at the top of the table, Pulis has effected a remarkable turnaround on a shoestring budget. Palace, remember, were rock bottom having lost nine of their opening 11 games, including a League Cup defeat to Bristol City before Pulis took over from Ian Holloway.

Now they are seven points clear of the relegation zone and almost ready to start planning for a second season in the top flight. Not that Pulis or his players consider the job done yet. Jason Puncheon, who scored the goal that enabled Palace to leapfrog struggling Aston Villa, said no one in the dressing room is getting carried away.

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“The mood in there is great but we’ve got to put that game behind us and look forward to the next one," he said. "It’s important we don’t get carried away, and try to get as many points as we can.”

Pulis reiterated the level-headed mentality that has led to a steady climb away from trouble, highlighting the effort put in by unsung heroes such as Puncheon, the hugely impressive Yannick Bolasie and the hard-working – yes, hard-working – Marouane Chamakh.

The Moroccan striker was hardly known for his tireless work rate at Arsenal, but is a different man under Pulis, who said: “He works as hard as the rest of them, and he has bought into what we are trying to do here. He’s a great player and terrific lad.”

Another misconception Pulis is laying to rest is the idea that he advocates only route one football, borne largely from his time at Stoke.

Now he uses the pace and power of wingers Puncheon and Bolasie, who combined to great effect for the game’s only goal. It meant Palace have won 1-0 seven times since Pulis arrived, and have one of the best defensive records in the division – only Chelsea, Everton and the two Manchester clubs have conceded fewer goals.

Goalkeeper Julián Speroni again showed why, with a great save from Andreas Weimann in stoppage time, and is one of several players including Chamakh out of contract in the summer. “Let’s get to 40 points and then we can start talking about next season,” added Pulis.

Villa, meanwhile, are sliding towards danger on a run of four straight defeats. “We’ve got to get our heads up and try to win the next game,” said Paul Lambert. That may be easier said than done.